Housing for electric componentry

ABSTRACT

A housing for electric componentry comprises a closed frame in which the electric componentry is received, a first electric connection element which is connected to the electric componentry and passes through a wall of the frame, a second electric connection element which is connected to the first electric connection element, and an electric connection cable which is connected to the second electric connection element. A fastening element fastens the electric connection cable to the frame of the housing in such manner that the cable lies parallel to a flat outer surface of the frame. At least a part of the fastening element is constructed integrally with the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the housing further comprises a cover attached by a hinge to the frame. Further, the fastening element comprises first and second parts which bear upon each other with the electric connection cable therebetween. One of the parts of the fastening element is integral with the cover, so that the electric connection cable is fastened to the housing in proper fashion merely by closing the cover of the housing.

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/780,927, filed Jan. 9,1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,535.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a housing for electric componentrycomprising the housing itself, at least one electric connection elementpassing through a wall of the housing and connected to the electriccomponentry inside the housing, a second electric connection elementwhich is connected to the first electric connection element, andelectric connection cables connected to the second electric connectionelement, the electric connection cables being arranged on an outersurface of the housing.

A housing of this type is known from DE 41 02 265 A1 (U.S. Pat. No.5,311,398).

Housings of this type are used on installation sites where they aresubjected to external electromagnetic and environmental influences. Itis expected of such a housing that the electric componentry containedwithin be securely protected from such interfering influences. When sucha housing is installed on a motor vehicle body or in the engine space ofa motor vehicle, for example, it is particularly important that thehousing and the parts connected to it, such as, the plug-in electricconnectors, be leakproof and that they maintain this characteristic overtime. In practical use of such housings and plug-in connectors under theconditions described above, it often happens, however, that leakageoccurs due to the unplugging and the plugging back in of the plug-inconnectors, or due to the tensile load on the connectors, or due tonicks in the insulation on the cables connected to the plug-inconnectors.

The known housing mentioned above meets some of these requirements andfurthermore offers the possibility of achieving particularly compactconstruction when a plug-in connector with a coupling direction parallelto the plane of the housing surface is used.

In the known housing, however, it is a disadvantage that the electricconnection cables emerging from the coupling part of the plug-inconnectors are either not fastened at all, or that their fastening iseffected at a distance from the plug-in connector. The responsibility ofselecting an appropriate fastening point for the connection cables istherefore left to the user or to the installer of the electronicapparatus. If the selection of this fastening point is poorly made, itis possible that mechanical loads on the electric connection cablestransmitted to the coupling portion of the plug-in connection, such astensile loads or vibrations, may affect the leakproof character of theplug-in connection. It is a further disadvantage that with this type offastening of the electric cables additional auxiliary means, such asseparate fastening elements or mounting tools, are needed to effect thefastening. Furthermore, assembly of the fastening elements is a separateand additional step apart from the assembly of the housing itself.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a housingfor electric componentry in a space-saving embodiment with simplifiedand less expensive assembly, and which provides for the fastening of theelectric connection cables in such manner that the leakproof characterof the plug-in connection is ensured over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A housing for electric componentry comprises a closed frame in whichsaid electric componentry is received, a first electric connectionelement which is connected to the electric componentry and passesthrough a wall of the frame, a second electric connection element whichis connected to the first electric connection element, and an electricconnection cable which is connected to the second electric connectionelement. A fastening element fastens the electric connection cable tothe frame of the housing in such manner that the cable liessubstantially parallel to a flat outer surface of the frame. At least apart of the fastening element for the cables is integral with thehousing. Preferably, the housing includes a cover which is attached by ahinge to the frame. Further, the fastening element comprises first andsecond parts which bear upon each other with the electric connectioncable therebetween. One of these parts of the fastening elementis-integral with the cover of the housing, so that the electricconnection cable is fastened to the housing in proper fashion merely byclosing the cover of the housing.

One advantage of the housing of the present invention consists in thefact that the electric connection cable is fastened by a fasteningelement which is at least partially integral with the housing, so thaton the one hand, the design of the housing already provides for aparticularly well-suited fastening point, and on the other hand, theexpenditure in work and money for the fastening device which isabsolutely necessary for purposes of strain relief of the connectioncable, is minimized. In addition, the user/installer of the housing isrelieved of the chore of selection of a suitable fastening point for theconnection cable.

Due to the fact that the housing is designed so as to have a zone inwhich the electric connection, cables are placed parallel to the planeextension of the housing surface and are also fastened thereon, themechanical load on the electric connection cables is reduced to aminimum. This type of fastening makes it possible to avoid tensileforces as well as bending forces which could occur as a result of alateral movement of the electric connection cables if the fasteningpoint is poorly selected. After assembly, the frame, the first and thesecond electric connection elements, the first part of the fasteningelement and part of the electric connection cable constitute a compactunit, the elements of which can no longer alter their positions relativeto each other. As a result, the housing is especially suitable at sitesof installation where a good leakproof character is required, such as inthe engine space or on the body of a motor vehicle.

Furthermore, since a part of the fastening element is integral with thehousing, it is possible to combine the manufacturing process of thesetwo elements into one common production step.

In an advantageous further development of the invention, the housing isdesigned with a cover for the first and the second electric connectionelements. Such a cover has the advantage that the first and secondelectric connection elements as well as a segment of the electricconnection cables are protected from environmental influences, such aswater spray or falling rocks. This cover can be made integrally with asecond portion of the fastening means in a particularly advantageousmanner, whereby the two portions of the fastening means are designed sothat they bear upon each other. In addition to the advantage of furthersimplification of the manufacturing process in a one-piece design of thesecond portion of the fastening means and the cover, this embodimentalso offers the advantage that the second portion of the fastening meansenhances the first portion of the fastening means and its advantageouseffects.

A simplification in fastening the electric connection cables by thefastening means as well as in the assembly of the cover is achievedthrough an advantageous further development of the invention whereby thefastening of the electric connection cables is effected solely by theclosing of the cover. This simplified fastening of the electricconnection cables enables the omission of certain assembly steps insofaras such steps are required with conventional fastening means, such asscrew connections. Furthermore, accidental wrong installation of partsof the fastening means is avoided, as is failure to install them at all.

In an especially advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first andthe second parts of the fastening means are made so as to receive asleeve surrounding the electric cables in a positive manner, e.g., bymeans of grooves in the first and second parts of the fastening meansadapted to grip the corrugated outer surface of the sleeve. Thus, anyforce acting on the connection cables as might occur with non-positivelocking fastening means, e.g., in the form of pinching, is avoided.

In another embodiment, the housing is provided with attachment elementsby means of which the cover is attached to the housing. Preferably,hinges are used as the attachment elements, these having the advantagethat the cover does not get lost in its open state and closing of thecover is simplified because the exact position on the housing is alreadyestablished by the manufacturer.

In another further development, the housing is made of metal, so that onthe one hand, it is mechanically very stable, and on the other hand, theelectric componentry inside is protected from electromagneticinterference. This further development renders the housing especiallysuitable for use in a motor vehicle, e.g., in conjunction with anelectronic control unit. The cover may, however, also be made of plasticif desired in order to minimize manufacturing costs, because therequirements for mechanical strength are lower for the cover than forthe housing. Selecting plastic for the cover also provides betterrecycling possibilities than a compound material, such as plastic coatedwith a metal coating as may be used for the housing material.

In another further development of the invention, the first electricconnection element which is connected to the electric componentry ismade in the form of an angled plug. This has the advantage that theplugging forces are not transmitted directly to the electriccomponentry. Further improvement can be obtained if the first electricconnection element is provided with long connection legs, since thisbest compensates for the remaining bending forces and also thermaldistortion, in operation, between the electric componentry and the firstelectric connection element. By placing the electric connection cablesparallel with the housing surface, a straight-line laying of theconnection cables up to and into the second electric connection elementis made possible. This simplifies installation of the connection cablesin the second electric connection element and furthermore results in abetter seal at the transition point between connection cable andconnection element because cables laid down in a straight line do nottransmit any lateral forces to a seal that may be installed within thesecond electric connection element, for example.

In an advantageous further development of the invention, the housingconsists of at least two housing parts joined along a plane ofseparation, whereby the separation plane extends perpendicular to theelectric componentry, so that in order to install the electriccomponentry in the housing, the housing parts can be opened laterallyover the printed circuit board. By comparison with the separation planeof the known housing, which extends parallel to the electriccomponentry, the housing according to the invention offers theadvantage, because of a small separation plane, of ensuring goodleakproof characteristics even with lower expenditures for sealing andassembly means, and thereby also ensuring a shorter assembly time.

In a further development, the first electric connection elementconnected to the electric componentry is fastened to the wall of thehousing merely by exerting pressure as the housing parts are fittedtogether, and in this case a seal between housing and plug-in connectionis provided at the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in further detail through an embodimentillustrated in the drawings, wherein

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the housing in section,

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the housing taken along sectional lines 2—2of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the housing taken along sectional lines 3—3of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The same reference numbers are used in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 for the sameparts. The view shown in FIG. 1 taken along sectional lines 1—1 of FIGS.2 and 3 shows a housing consisting of two housing parts (1, 1 a) whichare connected to each other and form a closed box-like frame. Screws canbe used to connect the two housing parts together but these are notshown here. Although both housing parts (1, 1 a) are equally suitable toreceive all elements, for purposes of clarity, not all of the elementsassociated with housing part (1 a) are shown. Inside the housing,electric componentry (3) is installed, e.g., in the form of a printedcircuit board. In a raised, pedestal-shaped part (6) of the housing,first electric connection elements (4, 4 a) are installed in the twohousing parts (1, 1 a) and are pressed from the inside through the wallsof the housing.

The first electric connection element (4) is shown connected to a secondelectric connection element (9) as its counterpart which is in turnprovided with electric connection cables (10). The electric connectioncables (10) are arranged parallel to a zone (11) of the housing. Also inzone (11) of the housing and made in one piece with the housing surfaceare fastening means (5, 5 a) which receive the electric connectioncables (10) or a sleeve surrounding same. The fastening of the electricconnection cables can be effected by means of, e.g., a clip (not shown),which is screwed to the fastening means (5, 5 a).

However, the utilization of a cover (2) to fasten the electricconnection cable to the fastening means (5,5 a) is more advantageous.This cover (2), which is attached to the housing part (1) by means ofhinges (13), covers the electric connection elements (4, 9) as well aspart of the electric connection cables (10). The cover (2) isfurthermore provided with a portion which comprises the second part (12)of the fastening means for the electric connection cables (10) and canbe brought into contact with the first part of the fastening means (5, 5a) (see especially FIG. 3). As a result, the elements located inside thecover (2) are protected on the one hand from environmental influences,and on the other hand the second part (12) of the fastening means (5, 5a), which is integral with the cover (2), replaces the above-mentionedadditional auxiliary item (clip) used to fasten the electric connectioncables (10). Thus, in the present invention, fastening takes placesolely through the closing of the cover (2). In closed condition, thecover (2) can be immobilized, e.g., by screws or by a catch (not shown).

In one embodiment of the invention, the two parts of the fastening means(5, 5 a and 12) are provided with grooves (14), shown most clearly onthe fastening means (5 a), which are designed to interlock with theouter surface of the electric connection cables (10), for example, whenthe electric connection cables (10) are held in a sleeve in the form ofa corrugated pipe (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

A plug can be used as the first electric connection element (4, 4 a),for example, and a coupling element as the second electric connectionelement (9).

The plugs (4, 4 a) are also held by additional fastening means (7)against the walls of the housing. The additional fastening means (7),which may be made in one piece with the plugs (4, 4 a) or as separateparts, help relieve the load on the electric connection legs (8) of theplugs (4, 4 a) when plugging in or pulling out the coupling element (9).The electric connection legs (8) as well as the additional fasteningmeans (7) are connected to the electric printed circuit (3), e.g., bysoldering, clamping or screwing.

The above-described design of the housing results in advantages for themanufacture and installation of the electric printed circuit board aswell as for the entire electric apparatus, for the manufacturer as wellas for the user/installer.

The manufacture of the electric apparatus can be effected as follows,for example:

The printed circuit board (3) is first provided with the additionalfastening means (7) as well as with the plugs (4, 4 a) and possiblyother components to be attached by soldering. This is followed bysoldering, e.g., in a solder bath or by means of a soldering rod. Thisis followed by a test of the functioning of the electric apparatus whichis very much simplified due to the fact that on the one hand thecontacting of testing points directly on the printed circuit board (3)is not hindered by housing parts, and on the other hand the plugs (4, 4a) which are now already connected to the printed circuit board (3) canalso be used for contacting peripheral components or testing devices. Inaddition, the plugs (4, 4 a) can be checked for faultless soldering.Thus, the entire testing of the electric functioning of the apparatuscan be carried out already at this point, whereupon only the mechanicalassembly in the housing needs to be completed.

This assembly is effected by laterally sliding the two housing parts (1,1 a) over the previously described electric componentry and by screwingthe housing parts (1, 1 a) together. Thereby, the plugs (4, 4 a) arepressed against the respective housing parts (1 or 1 a). Additionalattachment of the plugs (4, 4 a) to the housing parts (1, 1 a), e.g., byscrewing, is not necessary. The forces to which the plugs (4, 4 a) aresubjected due to pressing against the housing parts (1, 1 a) or causedby plugging in or pulling out the coupling element (9) are absorbed bythe additional fastening means (7).

In a final manufacturing step, the cover (2) is attached to the housingby means of the hinges (13).

The installation of the electric apparatus can be effected, e.g., asfollows:

The housing is installed by means of screws, for example, at theinstallation site, e.g. in the engine space or on the frame of avehicle. The coupling element (9) provided with the electric connectioncables (10) is then slid into the plug (4). Finally, the cover (2) isclosed and stopped by means of a catch or screws. Thereby, the two parts(5 and 12) of the fastening means positively surround the connectioncables which are surrounded by a corrugated pipe.

While the invention has been described by reference to a specificembodiment, this was for purposes of illustration only. Numerousalternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art andare considered to be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A housing for receiving an electric connectioncable with a connector to be connected to electric componentry withinthe housing, comprising: (i) a closed frame in which said electriccomponentry is received, said closed frame including a bottom and apedestal-shaped part which rises vertically from said bottom, (ii) anelectric connection element which passes through a wall of saidpedestal-shaped part of said frame, said electric connection elementhaving a first area which connects to said electric componentry withinsaid closed frame, and a second area which is configured to connect tosaid connector of said electric connection cable outside said closedframe, (iii) a closeable cover attached to an outside surface of saidclosed frame, wherein said second area of said electric connectionelement, said connector of said electric connection cable, and a portionof said electric connection cable are received between said cover andsaid frame when said electric connection cable is connected via itsconnector to said electric connection element of said housing and saidcover is closed, and (iv) a fastening element a part of which isattached to said cover which fastens said electric connection cable tosaid housing such that said portion of said electric connection cablewithin said cover is arranged substantially parallel to a flat outersurface of said frame when said electric connection cable is connectedvia its connector to said electric connection element of said housing.2. The housing of claim 1 wherein said fastening element comprises firstand second parts, said first part of said fastening element beingattached to said frame, and said second part of said fastening elementbeing attached to said cover.
 3. The housing of claim 2 wherein saidfirst and second parts of said fastening element include elements forreceiving said electric connection cable in an interlocking manner. 4.The housing of claim 3 wherein said elements for receiving said electricconnection cable in an interlocking manner comprise grooves on saidfirst and second parts of said fastening element.
 5. The housing ofclaim 1 wherein said frame is made from a metallic material and saidcover is made from a plastic material.
 6. The housing of claim 1 whereinsaid electric connection element comprises an angled plug having a firstpart which is substantially parallel to said pedestal-shaped part, and asecond part which is substantially perpendicular to said pedestal-shapedpart and passes through said wall of said pedestal-shaped part.
 7. Thehousing of claim 1 further comprising an additional fastening elementfor securing the connection of said electric connection element to saidelectric componentry.
 8. The housing of claim 1 wherein said framecomprises first and second frame parts joined along a plane ofseparation, said separation plane being substantially perpendicular tosaid electric componentry.
 9. The housing of claim 8 which is configuredso that said electric connection element becomes attached to said wallof said raised pedestal-shaped part of said frame upon assembly of saidfirst and second frame parts to each other.
 10. The housing of claim 1wherein said cover is attached to said frame by a hinge.
 11. The housingof claim 1 wherein said pedestal-shaped part is hollow and said electricconnection element is located within said pedestal-shaped part.
 12. Thehousing of claim 1 wherein said electric componentry comprises a circuitboard which is oriented substantially parallel to said bottom of saidclosed frame.
 13. A housing for receiving an electric connection cablewith a connector to be connected to electric componentry within thehousing, comprising: (i) a closed frame including a bottom in which saidelectric componentry is received, (ii) an electric connection elementwhich passes through a wall of said closed frame, said electricconnection element having a first area which connects to said electriccomponentry within said closed frame, and a second area which isconfigured to connect to said connector of said electric connectioncable outside said closed frame, (iii) a closeable cover attached to anoutside surface of said closed frame, wherein said second area of saidelectric connection element, said connector of said electric connectioncable, and a portion of said electric connection cable are receivedbetween said cover and said frame when said electric connection cable isconnected via its connector to said electric connection element of saidhousing and said cover is closed, and (iv) a fastening element whichfastens said electric connection cable to said housing such that saidportion of said electric connection cable within said cover is arrangedsubstantially parallel to a flat outer surface of said frame when saidelectric connection cable is mounted via its connector to said electricconnection element of said housing, said fastening element comprisingfirst and second parts configured to receive between them said electricconnection cable, said first part of said fastening element beingattached to said frame, and said second part of said fastening elementbeing attached to said cover.
 14. The housing of claim 13 wherein atleast one of said first and second parts of said fastening element isintegral with said housing.
 15. The housing of claim 14 wherein saidsecond part of said fastening element is integral with said cover. 16.The housing of claim 13 wherein said closed frame includes a hollowpedestal-shaped part which rises vertically from said bottom, said wallof said frame through which said electric connection element passesbeing a wall of said pedestal-shaped part of said frame.
 17. The housingof claim 13 wherein said first and second parts of said fasteningelement include elements for receiving said electric connection cable inan interlocking manner.
 18. The housing of claim 17 wherein saidelements for receiving said electric connection cable in an interlockingmanner comprise grooves on said first and second parts of said fasteningelement.
 19. The housing of claim 13 wherein said frame is made from ametallic material and said cover is made from a plastic material. 20.The housing of claim 16 wherein said electric connection elementcomprises an angled plug having a first part which is located within andis substantially parallel to said pedestal shaped part, and a secondpart which is substantially perpendicular to said pedestal-shaped partand passes through said wall of said pedestal-shaped part.
 21. Thehousing of claim 13 further comprising an additional fastening elementfor securing the connection of said electric connection element to saidelectric componentry.
 22. The housing of claim 13 wherein said framecomprises first and second frame parts joined along a plane ofseparation, said separation plane being substantially perpendicular tosaid electric componentry.
 23. The housing of claim 22 which isconfigured so that said electric connection element becomes attached tosaid wall of said frame upon assembly of said first and second frameparts to each other.
 24. The housing of claim 13 wherein said cover isattached to said frame by a hinge.
 25. The housing claim 13 wherein saidelectric componentry comprises a circuit board which is orientedsubstantially parallel to said bottom at said closed frame.
 26. Ahousing for receiving an electric connection cable with a connector tobe connected to electric componentry within the housing, comprising: (i)a closed frame in which said electric componentry is received, saidclosed frame including a bottom and a hollow, pedestal-shaped part whichrises vertically from said bottom, (ii) an electric connection elementwhich comprises an angled plug located within said pedestal-shaped part,said angled plug having a first part which is substantially parallel tosaid pedestal-shaped part and which terminates in a first area whichconnects to said electric componentry within said closed frame, saidangled plug also including a second part which is substantiallyperpendicular to said pedestal-shaped part and passes through a wall ofsaid pedestal-shaped part, said second part terminating in a second areawhich connects to said connector of said electric connection cableoutside said closed frame, (iii) a closeable cover attached to anoutside surface of said closed frame, wherein said second area of saidelectric connection element, said connector of said electric connectioncable, and a portion of said electric connection cable are receivedbetween said cover and said frame when said electric connection cable isconnected via its connector to said electric connection element of saidhousing and said cover is closed, and (iv) a fastening element a part ofwhich is attached to said cover which fastens said electric connectioncable to said housing such that said portion of said electric connectioncable within said cover is arranged substantially parallel to a flatouter surface of said frame when said electric connection cable isconnected via its connector to said electric connection element of saidhousing.
 27. The housing of claim 26 wherein said fastening elementcomprises first and second parts, said first part of said fasteningelement being attached to said frame, and said second part of saidfastening element being attached to said cover.
 28. The housing of claim27 herein said first and second parts of said fastening element includeelements for receiving said electric connection cable in an interlockingmanner.
 29. The housing of claim 26 wherein said electric componentrycomprises a circuit board which is oriented substantially parallel tosaid bottom of said closed frame.
 30. A housing for receiving anelectric connection cable with a connector to be connected to electriccomponentry within the housing, comprising: (i) a closed frame includinga bottom in which said electric componentry is received, wherein saidelectric componentry comprises a circuit board which is orientedsubstantially parallel to said bottom, (ii) an electric connectionelement which passes through a wall of said closed frame, said electricconnection element having a first area which connects to said circuitboard within said closed frame, and a second area which is configured toconnect to said connector of said electric connection cable outside saidclosed frame, (iii) a closeable cover attached to an outside surface ofsaid closed frame, wherein said second area of said electric connectionelement, said connector of said electric connection cable, and a portionof said electric connection cable are received between said cover andsaid frame when said electric connection cable is connected via itsconnector to said electric connection element of said housing and saidcover is closed, and (iv) a fastening element which fastens saidelectric connection cable to said housing such that said portion of saidelectric connection cable within said cover is arranged substantiallyparallel to a flat outer surface of said frame when said electricconnection cable is mounted via its connector to said electricconnection element of said housing, said fastening element comprisingfirst and second parts configured to receive between them said electricconnection cable, said first part of said fastening element beingattached to said frame, and said second part of said fastening elementbeing attached to said cover.
 31. The housing of claim 30 wherein saidclosed frame further includes a hollow, pedestal-shaped part which risesvertically from said bottom, and wherein said electric connectionelement comprises an angled plug located within said pedestal-shapedpart, said angled-plug having a first part which is substantiallyparallel to said pedestal-shaped part and which terminates in said firstarea which connects to said circuit board within said closed frame, saidangled plug also including a second part which is substantiallyperpendicular to said pedestal-shaped part and passes through a wall ofsaid pedestal shaped part, said second part terminating in said secondarea which connects to said connector of said electric connection cableoutside said closed frame.
 32. A housing for receiving an electricconnection cable with a connector to be connected to electriccomponentry within the housing, comprising: (i) a closed frame in whichsaid electric componentry is received, said closed frame including abottom and a pedestal-shaped part which rises vertically from saidbottom, said closed frame being mounted on or within a motor vehiclebody, (ii) an electric connection element which passes through a wall ofsaid pedestal-shaped part of said frame, said electric connectionelement having a first area which connects to said electric componentrywithin said closed frame, and a second area which is configured toconnect to said connector of said electric connection cable outside saidclosed frame, (iii) a closeable cover attached to an outside surface ofsaid closed frame, wherein said second area of said electric connectionelement, said connector of said electric connection cable, and a portionof said electric connection cable are received between said cover andsaid frame when said electric connection cable is connected via itsconnection to said electric connection element of said housing and saidcover is closed, and (iv) a fastening element which is attached to saidcover which fastens said electric connection cable to said housing suchthat said portion of said electric connection cable within said cover isarranged substantially parallel to a flat outer surface of said framewhen said electric connection cable is connected via its connector tosaid electric connection element of said housing.
 33. The housing ofclaim 32 wherein said electric componentry comprises a circuit boardoriented substantially parallel to said bottom of said closed frame. 34.The housing of claim 33 wherein said electric connection elementcomprises an angled plug.